SPRING PRACTICE PERIOD: Stories from the Lotus Sutra

Dogen-Zenji so cherished the Lotus Sutra that he actually carved a selection of it into his door. This, the core text of not only Zen but the whole of Mahayana Buddhism, has never lost its appeal among practitioners of the Way. Join us for our SPRING PRACTICE PERIOD: Stories From the Lotus Sutra led by Sensei Joshin Byrnes, Sensei Genzan Quennell

Extending mourning to “sustained mourning” means taking time in addressing our emotion and the existence and nonexistence of others. By taking time I hope to gain the opportunity to learn that every enemy is only another human being, and that every victim has a potential aggressor within.—Eiko Otake

What in our own lives and environments would enable us to manage such a pure realization of interdependence, and the natural compassion that is an expression of this realization? Are there perhaps reminders of interdependence everywhere we look, going unnoticed in our hurry, distraction, and self-focus? —Sensei Al Kaszniak

This was not simply the act of one very disturbed young man. It has its roots in racial violence and distortions and inequities that have been part of the fabric of our country since its inception...We need to be willing to see how we are part of the causes and conditions, and not separate from them... This work is actually about mutual liberation. —Maia Duerr, "Dreams of Freedom: Responding to Charleston"

EDITOR'S NOTE

This week we honor our deeply felt interdependence as we celebrate and mourn at the same time. We are overjoyed to celebrate the long-awaited victory of the Supreme Court's decision to legalize same-sex marriage in all 50 states.

And we are mourning the deaths of the nine church members in Charleston. We remember also the under-reported fact that at least five Southern black churches have been burned this past week with arson suspected in three of these cases, and none being investigated as hate crimes. We won't forget Bree Newsome who scaled a flag pole at the South Carolina state capitol to remove the Confederate flag in a courageous act of civil disobedience, and that the flag was raised again after her arrest.

In a powerful reflection, artist Eiko Otake explores how we can sustain our mourning, as a "quiet protest to forgetfulness." Sensei Al Kaszniak explores "Interdependence, Independence, & Indifference," in a 4th of July dharma talk. And in her powerful dharma talk offered last week at Upaya in conjunction with a memorial service for the nine killed in Charleston, Maia Duerr shares her words about white supremacy and the four noble truths, how we can move toward our mutual liberation.

ROSHI JOAN

Roshi Joan is in retreat at Prajna Mountain Forest Refuge. She returns to Upaya for the Dogen weekend in latter July.

She has been working intensively on Nepal aid and fundraising and has been in constant contact with her colleagues and associates in the area since the catastrophic earthquake. She urges you to donate to the relief fund for Nepal.

In our Buddhist practice, we come to recognize this interdependence as our natural state. And, in those moments when it feels difficult to release from the grip of however we may be stuck, recalling our interdependence, that we have never been separate from all and everyone that exists, can be our refuge. Click to read more on Upaya's Blog...

The First Noble Truth: There is suffering in life— The gift of this truth is that it teaches us how to simply be with the immense pain of what happened in Charleston. It’s about not turning away, and letting ourselves and others fully feel all the emotions that arise … including unspeakable grief, anger, disbelief. Click to read more on Upaya's Blog...

SUSTAINED MOURNING: EIKO OTAKE

In mourning, one spends time to remember someone/something and learn about loss. I want this mourning to continue as a part of my living. This desire, for the sake of distinction, I would call “sustained mourning.” Click to read more on Upaya's Blog...

APPLY TO JOIN US AS A RESIDENT

Reside in a deep field of practice that includes service, meditation, liturgy, practice periods, and a course of study in fields such as Socially Engaged Buddhism and Contemplative Science. Applications now accepted for Fall 2015: Contact rpc@upaya.org or Click here to apply.

UPAYA'S NEPAL EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND

Click here to give. Upaya is accepting donations for earthquake relief and will allocate it to those NGOs that we have relationships with and whose good work we can verify and to trusted individuals doing direct relief. We are choosing organizations led by individuals with whom we have ongoing and productive relationships. Please feel free to make gifts to Upaya's Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund. We will make periodic reports back to all who make a donation.

The road to recovery in Nepal will be very long and difficult. Upaya remains committed to our many friends there. We have a firm responsibility to provide what we can and to help for as long as is needed. Click here to contribute to this fund.